by Alan Jacques
FIANNA Fáil has been condemned for its “complete absence” from the Yes campaign for Marriage Equality in Limerick.
Sinn Fein councillor Maurice Quinlivan has criticised the party for its low profile in the run up to this Friday’s referendum. The City North representative cited the lack of even one single poster anywhere in the city or surrounding suburbs as evidence Fianna Fáil has absented itself entirely from the campaign.
“What makes this absence truly bizarre is that the Fianna Fáil party director of the campaign is none other than Niall Collins. As of Monday morning Niall and his team haven’t managed to put one poster up, knock on one door or even deliver one leaflet anywhere in the city,” claimed Cllr Quinlivan.
“The county also appears to have zero presence from Fianna Fáil, while local councillors and TD Willie O’Dea have been nowhere to be seen on the campaign trail. It makes a mockery of this party’s claims to be a Republican party,” he added.
The Sinn Fein representative deemed Fianna Fáil’s absence from the marriage equality referendum as a “serious issue”.
“Many of us believe this vote could be a lot tighter than opinion polls suggest. Fianna Fáil’s decision not to turn out for the Yes campaign could be crucial,” said Quinlivan.
In response, Fianna Fáil TD for Limerick, Niall Collins commented, “Cllr Quinlivan is engaging in petty politics as usual. It’s well noted by people that we never hear from Cllr Quinlivan when the issues of Sinn Fein/IRA cover up of child abuse and kangaroo courts are being discussed.”
Meanwhile, Willie O’Dea told the Limerick Post that he finds it “nauseating” to hear Sinn Fein “preaching about equality”.
“I have met a lot of people in the course of the referendum campaign and the vast majority said they want to make up their own minds and not be told what to do by a politician. This is a hell of a lot more than Sinn Fein have done which seems to consist of throwing up a few posters which are more focussed on advertising themselves than the referendum,” said Deputy O’Dea.
“It’s nauseating to hear Sinn Fein preaching about equality. How about equality of treatment for those who covered up child abuse in the Catholic church and those Sinn Fein/IRA members who flagrantly covered up child abuse within their own ranks. We didn’t hear a peep from Mr Quinlivan in relation to the harrowing stories of Maria Cahill and other abuse victims.”
